Samsung Leads Foldable Phone Popularization: "Galaxy Z Sales Quadruple Year-on-Year"

Since the First Foldable Phone Launch in 2019
Fruition with Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 in 2021
"1.5 Times More Inflows from Competitor Switchers than 'GalNote20'"

Samsung Electronics unveiled the foldable smartphones 'Galaxy Z Fold3' and 'Galaxy Z Flip3' at 'Galaxy Unpacked 2021.' On the 12th, customers visiting the Samsung Delight Shop in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are seen exploring the new products. The newly released products will be available for pre-order in Korea from the 17th to the 23rd and are scheduled for sequential global release on the 27th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Samsung Electronics' foldable smartphone Galaxy Z series has achieved sales more than four times higher than the previous year. This significantly exceeds the projected growth rate of the global foldable phone market this year.

Samsung Electronics announced on the 30th that the sales volume of the Galaxy Z series this year has tentatively been estimated to have increased more than fourfold compared to the previous year. Market research firm Counterpoint Research had predicted that the global foldable phone market would grow about three times compared to last year.

The 'Galaxy Z Fold3' and 'Galaxy Z Flip3', released in August this year, surpassed Samsung Electronics' total foldable phone sales from last year in just over a month after launch. There was also a high number of users switching from other smartphone manufacturers, with conversions to the Z Flip3 being 1.5 times higher than those from the previous 'Galaxy Note20' series. It was also 1.4 times higher compared to the new 'Galaxy S21' series.

According to Samsung Electronics' own survey, Z Flip3 users cited design, portability, form factor innovation, and the cover display that can be used without opening the device as reasons for purchase. The main purchase factors for the Z Fold3 were the large 7.6-inch screen, multitasking performance, and productivity features such as the S Pen.

Samsung's success in popularizing foldable phones was driven by technological innovation and partnerships. They were the first in the world to introduce the Infinity Flex Display and Samsung Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), and redesigned the smartphone's internal structure with a dual battery system and cooling system to achieve a slimmer design. The 'Hideaway Hinge', which allows the foldable phone to stand at the desired angle for viewing content or taking photos, applies sweeper technology to protect the device from dust and other particles. The Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are the first foldable phones to receive IPX8 water resistance certification.

Collaboration with application (app) developers and partners, as well as unique foldable phone user experiences such as Flex Mode, app continuity, and Multi-Active Window, were also key factors leading to the popularization of foldable phones.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics introduced its first foldable phone, the 'Galaxy Fold', in 2019, eight years after unveiling a flexible display prototype in 2011. Last year, they released the clamshell design 'Galaxy Z Flip', which folds vertically.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.